From Godwin Tsa, Abuja
The governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Kogi State, Alhaji Muritala Ajaka, has denied claim by governor Usman Ododo and his political godfather, Yahaya Bello, that he has agreed to give up the legal battle to reclaim his stolen mandate, in the disputed November 11, 2023 election.
In a statement in Abuja, Ajaka said, “I want to address the false information being circulated by the illegitimate government of Usman Ododo in Kogi and its controller, Yahaya Bello, claiming that I have agreed to give up the legal battle to reclaim our stolen mandate”.
He stated that he has never had any discussions, either personally or through a representative, with Ododo and Bello to abandon his fight to reclaim his mandate.
Read also: Kogi guber: SDP, Ajaka heads to Court of Appeal
In his words, “I am fully committed to pursuing the legal battle to regain the mandate that was freely given to us by the people of Kogi State.
“It would be a massive betrayal of our shared struggle, the impoverished workers, retirees and the people of Kogi State, as well as the memory of our comrades who were unlawfully killed by these same individuals, for me to even consider having any discussions with them to compromise this historic struggle.”
According to the SDP governorship candidate, the fight is not just for him, but for the impoverished, terrorized and dehumanized people of Kogi State and for the families of those who were killed, injured and forcibly disappeared by Yahaya Bello and his group.
He said, his legal team has since filed thirty-two strong, compelling and arguable grounds of appeal at the Court of Appeal in Abuja, within the stipulated time.
Ajaka said all the necessary legal procedures were followed to ensure that the appeal is heard and determined within the given timeframe, and that, he is confident that he will be successful.
He commended the support, commitment and patience of all his supporters and partners in the endeavor to rescue Kogi state from the fraudulent actions of Bello and his associates.
